Saturday, March 9, 2024
Remembering Shari Osen
My parents, Joyce & Jim Wand, were quite involved with the Southern California polka activities in the 1970s and 80s along with their close friends Bert and Shari Osen.
They were part of a large group of polka friends who would meet up at a variety of dances, button box gatherings, Oktoberfests and other costume-themed events. Many times they would create their own polka party when gathering for Sunday brunch at Delaney‘s in Newport Beach. While waiting for a table and sipping champagne on the patio, musician friends would break out their accordions, button boxes, harmonicas, drum sets and even washboards. Jim would occasionally join in with his tambourine on a rope attached to his belt (but that's a whole ‘nother story). When not dancing with all the gentlemen, Shari would be encouraged to sing a song or two, which delighted their group, and other onlookers.
My mother lovingly called her “Shari Bear” as Shari was an avid collector of stuffed animals, earrings, pins, and you-name-it bear-related things. Bert and Shari’s motor home even had shelves circling the interior which allowed a large number of Shari’s bear friends to travel with them.
There was one very large bear, Marouska (sp), if I recall the name correctly, that got positioned in the driver’s seat while the vehicle was parked and they were away enjoying good times with their friends at polka dances. This could be quite a startling sight for passers-by. Shari continued the bear theme in her greeting cards, return-address stickers, and even on her personal stationery.
Most of the greeting cards exchanged featured cute bears. Even in the past decade, Shari would send Jennifer and I bear-themed electronic greeting cards on holidays.
My understanding is that her bear collection numbered in the hundreds. Over the years, Shari Bear gifted my mother some of her ever-growing bear family members. I even inherited a few after my parents passed. And to this day, they are sitting on a shelf in our home reminding me of the good times my parents spent with Sheri and Burt.
By now, I’m sure they are all reunited, enjoying each other’s company – polka dancing, sipping champagne, sharing stories and singing songs while surrounded by Shari‘s bears.
RIP my friend.
P.S. I am writing this while sitting overlooking whales breaching, turtles swimming, and clouds passing by on the west side of Maui, Hawaii. Thank you for sharing the news and allowing me a moment of fond recollection.
